Disgraced former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo will not face criminal charges related to sexual misconduct allegations from two women despite “credible” evidence regarding their complaints.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday that it had concluded a thorough investigation into two sexual misconduct allegations, one from a female state trooper who had been assigned to his protective detail.
DA Miriam E. Rocah confirmed the decision regarding allegations that Cuomo, when he was still governor, asked the trooper if he could kiss her, as well as grabbing a school employee and then kissing her without her permission.
Specifically, DA Miriam E. Rocah’s office looked into two allegations:
— A woman, identified as Trooper 1 in the Attorney General’s Report, alleged that, when Cuomo was the Governor and Trooper 1 was a member of his detail and on duty at his home in Mount Kisco, she asked the Governor if he needed anything and he responded by asking her if he could kiss her. She further indicated that she was concerned about the ramifications of denying the Governor’s request and so she said “sure.” The Governor then kissed her on the cheek and, as indicated in the Attorney General’s report, “said something to the effect of, ‘oh, I’m not supposed to do that’ or ‘unless that’s against the rules.”‘
— A second woman has alleged (publicly and to our investigators) that Cuomo grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him and kissed her on the cheek without seeking permission for such a greeting while the two were at an event at White Plains High School.
She said that her investigations found the accusations to be “credible” but no charges would be filed anyway.
“Our investigation found credible evidence to conclude that the alleged conduct in both instances described above did occur,” Rocah noted in a statement.
“However, in both instances, my office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York,” she added.
In the case involving the trooper, she was working on his detail at his home at Mount Kisco when she asked him if he needed anything, to which he asked for a kiss.
“She further indicated that she was concerned about the ramifications of denying the governor’s request and so she said ‘sure,’” the district attorney’s office said. “The governor then kissed her on the cheek and, as indicated in the attorney general’s report, ‘said something to the effect of, “oh, I’m not supposed to do that” or “unless that’s against the rules.”‘”
The school staffer, meanwhile, testified that the then-governor “pulled her toward him and kissed her on the cheek without seeking permission for such a greeting while the two were at an event at White Plains High School.”
This is the second time in a week that a New York district attorney has chosen not to pursue ‘credible’ sexual misconduct allegations against Cuomo.
Last week, the Nassau County DA Joyce Smith also said that harassment allegations against the Democrat within the county wouldn’t result in formal charges despite describing them as “credible” and “deeply troubling.”
“Our exhaustive investigation found the allegations credible, deeply troubling, but not criminal under New York law,” she said. “It is important to note that our investigation was limited to alleged conduct at Belmont Racetrack, and prosecutors in other jurisdictions continue to review other allegations of misconduct by Mr. Cuomo.”
That incident involved alleged inappropriate touching of the female trooper.
Jon has over 30 years' worth of reporting experience, as well as an author and U.S. Army veteran. He has a BA in political science from Ashford University and an MA in national security studies/intelligence analysis from American Military University.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.